13 Common Problems With Indoor Jade Plants

Jade plants, scientifically known as Crassula ovata, are quickly becoming one of the world’s most popular beginner-friendly houseplants. These beauties are ideal first succulents for those new to this plant type—or to plants in general.

Requiring little maintenance and looking good year-round, there are many reasons to love jade plants. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean they are completely problem-free.

Mistakes in care, such as incorrect watering, or factors largely out of your control, like pest or disease infestations, can lead to several common issues. Identify the cause, resolve it, and your jade will be back to its sculptural self in no time.

Shriveled Leaves

Healthy leaves should be plump, green, and glossy. If the edges begin to look shriveled or wrinkled, it’s a sign of moisture stress in the plant.

The most common cause of this problem is underwatering. When the soil is excessively dry, the leaves store less water, causing the skin to wrinkle from the edges inward. However, if the wrinkles are accompanied by yellowing around the edges, overwatering may be the culprit.

While jade plants don’t need frequent watering, they also can’t go for long periods without water—especially when placed in a sunny spot. Water when the soil has almost completely dried out to prevent the leaves from wrinkling. If you do forget, the leaves should plump up again once you water.

Soft, Mushy Leaves

Jade plant leaves can also hold onto too much water, becoming soft and mushy. These mushy leaves often fall off the plant and attract pests and diseases, requiring immediate attention.

Leaves that feel mushy and give way when squeezed between your fingers are a sign of overwatering or poor drainage. Ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes and that the soil is loose and sandy to prevent the roots from sitting in water. Avoid watering when the top half of the soil is still moist to the touch to prevent mushy leaves.

To address this jade plant problem, start by holding off on watering. If the issue persists, trim any rotten roots and replant the jade in fresh, well-draining soil to help it recover.

Yellowing Leaves

As with other houseplants, the primary cause of yellowing leaves in jade plants is overwatering. Unlike many of the tropical plants commonly found in homes, jade plants are succulents, making them especially sensitive to overwatering and root rot.

Lifting the pot to test its weight can help determine how much moisture remains in the soil. If the pot feels heavier than usual but the top layer of soil is dry, there is still moisture lower down—meaning you can hold off on watering for a while.

Nutrient issues can also cause yellowing leaves. While a deficiency is possible, overfertilizing is far more common, as jade plants prefer low-quality soils. Always follow the instructions on your fertilizer packaging, and when in doubt, apply at half strength to avoid overfeeding.

Black Leaves

Black leaves are a more alarming jade plant problem than yellowing leaves and require immediate attention to save the plant. However, if you act quickly, the plant is usually saveable.

As with many problems on this list, the cause is often excessive moisture and root rot. Overwatering or poor drainage allows moisture to accumulate in the soil, leading to root rot. This issue then spreads up the plant, causing stems to shrivel and leaves to turn black.

Spotted black leaves can also be a sign of a pest or disease jade plant problem. Aphids—though not particularly common on jade plants—secrete honeydew, which can lead to the growth of black sooty mold on the leaves. Some diseases can also cause black spots, but these are less likely, especially when the plant is grown indoors.

Brown Leaves

Like yellowing leaves, there are many possible causes for leaves turning brown, requiring some detective work to identify the true issue.

The first potential cause is moisture-related. Excess moisture in the soil—or even in the air around your plants—can cause leaves to turn brown and eventually black before falling off. On the other hand, underwatering can have a similar effect, with leaves browning due to a lack of moisture.

Excessive sunlight is another possible cause. Although jade plants can handle high light conditions, those accustomed to indoor environments need to be gradually introduced to brighter light to avoid damage. If moved suddenly from low light to direct sun, the exposed leaves may develop brown patches.

To avoid this, increase the amount of light your plant receives slowly—by about an hour per day—to allow it to adjust to higher light levels.

Brown Spots on Leaves

Small brown spots on the leaves of this succulent differ slightly in cause from large patches or browning at the edges.

The first potential reason for this jade plant problem is physical trauma. While jade plant leaves aren’t overly sensitive, they can be damaged in high-traffic areas of the home. If you’re not careful with pruning, any areas you trim may also begin to turn brown. As long as the spots are small, they won’t pose a serious issue for the plant.

Sap-sucking pests can also cause small brown spots on jade plant leaves, sometimes surrounded by a yellow ring. These bugs find the plant’s juicy leaves irresistible, settling in one spot and feeding on the tissue. As the affected part of the leaf dies off, it begins to turn brown. Identify the pest and apply the appropriate treatment to prevent new spots from appearing.

Red Leaves

Jade plant leaves are generally green, although some cultivars may have tinges of other colors. So, it can be a bit distressing to see previously glossy green leaves develop red edging.

Fortunately, this is no cause for concern—and in fact, many plant owners encourage it for the fiery appearance. The leaves turn red when exposed to higher sunlight than usual as a protective response. Moving the plant to a shadier spot will cause the red color to fade, while gradually increasing light exposure will enhance the red tint.

Minor stress can also trigger red coloration. A lack of nutrients, insufficient moisture, or sudden temperature changes can all lead to this shift in color. However, as long as the conditions aren’t extreme, the plant won’t be harmed. Jade plants are well adapted to these fluctuations, having evolved to handle them in their native environment.

In essence, if you enjoy the reddish tinge, you can leave the plant as is. If you prefer to keep the leaves green, provide some shade and address any potential stress factors.

White Spots On Leaves

Tiny white specks on jade plant leaves are quite common and can often be wiped off with your thumb. They aren’t a major jade plant problem, but they do look unsightly.

These specks are salt deposits left behind when moisture evaporates from the leaves. While they aren’t harmful, it’s a good idea to check the quality of your tap water or watch for signs of overfertilizing, as salt buildup can accumulate in the soil over time.

To remove these white spots, simply wipe the leaves with a damp cloth—they should look good as new.

White Fluff On Leaves

White patches on the leaves are unfortunately not always harmless. Any fluffy or fuzzy texture is likely a sign of a pest or disease jade plant problem that needs immediate attention.

Mealybugs are known to attack many common houseplants, including jade plants. They produce a fluffy white substance to protect themselves while feeding on the plant, leaving behind a stark white trail. Use neem oil to get rid of these pests, applying it repeatedly until they are completely gone.

Powdery mildew is another potential cause. Although more common outdoors, it can still find its way inside and affect houseplants. Powdery mildew thrives in areas with high humidity and poor airflow, so maintaining proper conditions is key to preventing this issue.

Leaf Drop

Jade plant leaves can fall off for a number of reasons, usually related to some form of stress. Resolving the source of that stress should stop further leaf drop and help your plant return to good health.

Moisture stress—caused by either under- or overwatering—is a common culprit. Since jade plants are drought-tolerant, overwatering is more likely. Only water when the soil has almost completely dried out, and ensure proper drainage to prevent additional stress.

A lack of sunlight can also lead to leaf drop. While this succulent can tolerate low light for short periods, jade plants grow best in bright areas and can even thrive in direct morning sun. Move the plant away from dim corners and closer to a well-lit window. Leaf drop should stop within a few weeks.

Sudden temperature drops are another potential cause. To avoid temperature-related jade plant problems, keep jade plants in environments where temperatures stay above 40°F (4°C) year-round.

Lack of New Growth

Jade plants are slow growers, especially when kept indoors where lighting conditions are less than ideal. However, they should still produce a few new leaves during the peak growing seasons and add an inch or two in height each year.

If your plant has stopped growing, check whether it needs repotting. While this is uncommon in mature plants—which can stay in the same pot for several years—it may be necessary for smaller plants that have outgrown their containers.

In larger plants, a lack of sunlight is the most likely culprit. While jade plants are known to tolerate lower light better than most succulents, this doesn’t mean they thrive in dim indoor corners. They need a full day of bright, indirect light to grow well, ideally with a few hours of direct morning sun.

Some may turn to fertilizer to encourage growth, but this can often do more harm than good. Jade plants are adapted to low-fertility soils in their native habitats, and excessive fertilizer can burn the leaves and roots. If you suspect a nutrient deficiency, conduct a soil test first. You can also try applying a diluted fertilizer at half or quarter strength to see if it helps.

Stretched or Leggy Stems

The stems or branches of jade plants are known for being thick, stocky, and strong—but that’s not always the case. When placed in a low-light area, these stems may begin to stretch toward the nearest light source.

This can cause them to become thin and leggy. The stretching makes the plant lopsided and can hinder long-term growth. It also makes the stems poor candidates for propagation if you plan to create new plants from your existing jade.

Jade plants are light lovers. Don’t leave them in dark corners or rooms with no windows. Aim for bright, indirect light for most of the day, or moderate light with an hour or two of direct morning sun. Rotate the pot every couple of weeks to prevent unbalanced growth.

Lack of Flowers

Flowers on jade plants are not always guaranteed when grown indoors. But if you’d like to encourage your mature succulent to bloom and aren’t seeing any results, there are a few ways to help fix this jade plant problem.

The first is to ensure they receive adequate sunlight. Jade plants need at least a few hours of direct sun each day to produce flowers. These are the same light conditions that cause the leaves to turn red. You can use this color change as a helpful indicator that light levels are sufficient for flowering.

Keeping the plant slightly root-bound and withholding water can also trigger the kind of light stress that encourages blooming. While it’s important not to overdo it to avoid damage, a bit of controlled stress won’t harm the plant in the long term.

Lastly, allow temperatures around the plant to drop slightly at night. This mimics the conditions of their native habitat and can help prompt the plant to bloom.